Date: Wednesday , November 30, 2011
According to a new compilation of 2010 census data Indian Americans made up 18 percent of the Asian American population in 2010, up from 16 percent in 2000. They led all Asian American households with highest median household income. According to 2007 to 2009 data, Indian Americans led all Asian American groups in the country in median household income at $86,660. Taiwanese households came second with $77,596.

Taiwanese and Indians also led in per capita income among Asian American groups, with $38,312 and $36,533, respectively, followed by Malaysians ($33,264) and Sri Lankans ($32,480). Bangladeshi Americans had the biggest percentage increase over the decade, skyrocketing 157 percent, according to the study, "A Community of Contrasts: Asian Americans in the United States, 2011," by the Asian Pacific American Legal Centre and the Asian American Justice Centre.

The Pakistani population had the second highest population bump with a 100 percent rise. The Sri Lankan and Indian American populations increased 85 percent and 68 percent, respectively. Among the South Asian groups, Pakistanis had the highest rate of naturalization at 57 percent, while just 50 percent of Bangladeshi Americans, 47 percent of Indian Americans and 43 percent of Sri Lankan Americans were naturalized. About 200,000 Indian legal permanent residents were eligible to become citizens in 2008. The leading six Asian countries for immigrant visas issued from 2001-2010 were: Philippines, 350,694; China, 286,008; India, 267,403; Vietnam, 193,049; Bangladesh, 84,643; Pakistan, 69,202.

Only 22 percent of Indian Americans five years of age and older from 2007-09 were limited English proficient, compared to 46 percent for Bangladeshis and 28 percent for Pakistanis. Taiwanese and Indian Americans led all Asian groups in higher educational attainment, with 73 percent to 68 percent, respectively, having a bachelor's degree or higher.